Foiled Times Square Bomber Indicted in Federal Court

(CN) – Faisal Shazad, the Taliban-trained American who admitted to trying to drive a car bomb into Times Square in May was indicted Thursday by a federal grand jury in Manhattan.

Shazad, who neighbors described as “just a normal dude,” cooperated with federal authorities since his May 3 arrest at John F. Kennedy International Airport. The Connecticut man had an MBA and was married with two children. Last December, authorities say he traveled to Pakistan and trained with explosives experts affiliated with Tehrik-e-Taliban. In the following months, authorities say he received thousands of dollars in cash from accomplices. “The facts alleged in this indictment show that the Pakistani Taliban facilitated Faisal Shahzad’s attempted attack on American soil,” Attorney General Eric Holder said in a statement. “Our nation averted serious loss of life in this attempted bombing, but it is a reminder that we face an evolving threat that we must continue to fight with every tool available to the government.” Shazad was indicted by a federal grand jury on 10 counts related to his “attempted act of terrorism transcending national boundaries” and “attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction,” among others. He faces life in prison if convicted.